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Eiken Pre-1 Speaking Presents

Politics, Media & Health

Eiken Pre-1 Speaking — Part 4
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The Winning Formula (40-45 Sec)

Follow this structure for every question. Examiners expect a clear opinion, two supported reasons, and a conclusion.

1
Opinion — State your position clearly (5 sec)
2
Reason 1 + Example — First supporting point with concrete detail (15-20 sec)
3
Reason 2 + Example — Second supporting point with evidence (15-20 sec)
4
Conclusion — Restate your position with conviction (5 sec)

Filler Phrases — Buy Time

Silence is penalized. Use these phrases naturally to buy thinking time.

That's a tough question...
Let me consider this...
I believe...
As far as I know...
What I mean is...
It seems to me that...
Politics — 3 Questions
Q1 Do you think that young people today do enough to contribute to politics?
Advanced

Consider Both Sides

  • Do young people use social media for political causes?
  • What about protests or volunteer work?
  • How are they raising awareness?
  • What's the voter turnout like for young people?
  • Do they stay informed about political issues?
  • What more could they do?
Key vocab: voter turnout raise awareness stay informed political activism make their voices heard
Yes

"SIDE: "I believe young people are doing more than ever before. They use social media to raise awareness about important issues like climate change. Furthermore, many participate in protests and volunteer for political campaigns. So I'd say they're making their voices heard in new and powerful ways."

Director's Notes

  • "more than ever before" 「これまで以上に」。歴史的比較で変化を強調
  • "raise awareness" 「意識を高める」。政治活動の基本表現
  • "participate in protests" 「抗議活動に参加する」。具体的な行動を示す
  • "make their voices heard" 「声を上げる」。政治参加の本質を表現
  • "in new and powerful ways" 「新しくて強力な方法で」。現代的アプローチを強調
No

"SIDE: "I don't think so. Voter turnout among young people is still very low in most countries. Additionally, many don't stay informed about political issues that affect their future. So there's definitely room for improvement in youth political engagement."

Director's Notes

  • "voter turnout" 「投票率」。政治参加を測る重要指標
  • "stay informed" 「情報を得続ける」。継続的な関心を示す
  • "issues that affect their future" 「未来に影響する問題」。当事者意識を強調
  • "room for improvement" 「改善の余地」。建設的な批判表現
  • "youth political engagement" 「若者の政治参加」。議論の核心用語
Q2 Do you think the government should have access to individuals' private communications for security purposes?
Advanced

Think About It First

  • What security threats exist? (terrorism, organized crime)
  • How can monitoring prevent attacks?
  • Is some privacy loss worth public safety?
  • Why is privacy a fundamental right?
  • What happens when government power is abused?
  • Are there better ways to ensure security?
Key vocab: national security invasion of privacy fundamental right abuse of power balance between
Yes

"SIDE: "I believe it's necessary in some cases. National security threats like terrorism are real, and monitoring communications can help prevent attacks. Of course, there should be strict oversight to prevent abuse. So with proper regulations, this access can save lives."

Director's Notes

  • "national security threats" 「国家安全保障上の脅威」。重大性を強調
  • "prevent attacks" 「攻撃を防ぐ」。監視の目的を明確化
  • "strict oversight" 「厳格な監視」。チェック機能の重要性
  • "prevent abuse" 「濫用を防ぐ」。懸念への対処を示す
  • "save lives" 「命を救う」。最終的な正当化理由
No

"SIDE: "No, I think privacy is a fundamental right that shouldn't be violated. History shows that governments can abuse such power for political purposes. Moreover, there are better ways to ensure security without invading everyone's privacy. So this practice is too dangerous for democracy."

Director's Notes

  • "fundamental right" 「基本的権利」。プライバシーの重要性を最大化
  • "shouldn't be violated" 「侵害されるべきでない」。強い否定表現
  • "abuse such power" 「そのような権力を濫用する」。懸念の核心
  • "invading everyone's privacy" 「すべての人のプライバシーを侵害」。範囲の広さを強調
  • "dangerous for democracy" 「民主主義にとって危険」。より大きな文脈で問題を位置づけ
Q3 Should the government introduce stricter immigration laws for people immigrating to Japan?
Advanced

Think About It First

  • What concerns exist? (security, job competition)
  • How can stricter laws protect citizens?
  • What about maintaining cultural identity?
  • Why does Japan need immigration? (aging society, labor shortage)
  • What benefits do immigrants bring?
  • Is strictness the right approach?
Key vocab: aging society labor shortage cultural diversity security concerns economic contribution
Yes

"SIDE: "I think stricter laws could be beneficial. They would help ensure that immigrants can properly integrate into Japanese society. Additionally, careful screening can address legitimate security concerns. So a more controlled immigration system makes sense."

Director's Notes

  • "could be beneficial" 「有益である可能性」。控えめな主張
  • "properly integrate" 「適切に統合する」。社会的調和の重要性
  • "legitimate security concerns" 「正当な安全保障上の懸念」。現実的な心配を認める
  • "careful screening" 「慎重な審査」。厳格さの具体的方法
  • "makes sense" 「理にかなっている」。論理的な結論
No

"SIDE: "No, I don't think so. Japan faces a serious labor shortage due to its aging society, and immigrants can fill crucial gaps in the workforce. Moreover, cultural diversity enriches society and boosts innovation. So Japan should welcome immigrants, not restrict them further."

Director's Notes

  • "labor shortage" 「労働力不足」。日本の現実的課題
  • "aging society" 「高齢化社会」。背景にある人口動態問題
  • "fill crucial gaps" 「重要なギャップを埋める」。移民の貢献
  • "cultural diversity enriches" 「文化的多様性が豊かにする」。ポジティブな側面
  • "boosts innovation" 「イノベーションを促進」。経済的利点
Media — 2 Questions
Q4 Do you think that the behavior of celebrities in public places sets a good example for citizens?
Intermediate

Think About It First

  • Which celebrities are positive role models?
  • What good causes do they support?
  • How do they inspire people?
  • What bad behaviors do some celebrities show?
  • How does media focus on scandals?
  • Why shouldn't we rely on celebrities as role models?
Key vocab: role model positive influence set an example negative behavior media attention
Yes

"SIDE: "Many celebrities do set positive examples. They often use their influence to support important causes like environmental protection and education. Moreover, their charitable work inspires ordinary people to help others. So celebrities can definitely be good role models for society."

Director's Notes

  • "set positive examples" 「良い手本を示す」。肯定的な影響
  • "use their influence" 「影響力を使う」。有名人の力の活用
  • "support important causes" 「重要な活動を支援」。社会貢献
  • "charitable work" 「慈善活動」。具体的な良い行動
  • "inspire ordinary people" 「一般の人々に促す」。波及効果
No

"SIDE: "I don't think so. Many celebrities are involved in scandals and show irresponsible behavior. The media constantly reports on their mistakes, which can negatively influence young people. So we shouldn't rely on celebrities as role models for society."

Director's Notes

  • "involved in scandals" 「スキャンダルに巻き込まれる」。問題行動
  • "irresponsible behavior" 「無責任な行動」。否定的な側面
  • "constantly reports" 「常に報道する」。メディアの役割
  • "negatively influence" 「悪影響を与える」。マイナスの効果
  • "shouldn't rely on" 「頼るべきでない」。依存への警告
Q5 Do you think it is good for people to spend time on social media?
Intermediate

Think About It First

  • How does social media help people connect?
  • What information can we access?
  • How do people share experiences?
  • What are the mental health impacts?
  • How does it waste time?
  • What about misinformation and fake news?
Key vocab: stay connected spread of information waste time mental health addiction
Yes

"SIDE: "I think social media can be beneficial. It helps people stay connected with friends and family around the world. Additionally, it provides quick access to news and information. So when used responsibly, social media is a valuable tool for communication."

Director's Notes

  • "can be beneficial" 「有益である可能性」。バランスの取れた表現
  • "stay connected" 「つながり続ける」。SNSの基本機能
  • "quick access to" 「すばやいアクセス」。情報取得の利便性
  • "when used responsibly" 「責任を持って使えば」。条件付きの肯定
  • "valuable tool" 「貴重なツール」。実用的な価値
No

"SIDE: "I don't think it's entirely good. Social media can become addictive and waste a lot of time. Furthermore, it often causes mental health issues like anxiety and depression. So people should limit their social media use for better well-being."

Director's Notes

  • "not entirely good" 「完全に良いわけではない」。部分的否定
  • "become addictive" 「中毒性がある」。依存の危険性
  • "waste a lot of time" 「多くの時間を浪費」。非生産性
  • "mental health issues" 「メンタルヘルスの問題」。心理的影響
  • "for better well-being" 「より良い健康のため」。制限の目的
Health — 2 Questions
Q6 Do you think that the government should ban smoking in all restaurants?
Intermediate

Consider Both Sides

  • Opinion: Should smoking be banned in restaurants? (YES)
  • Reason 1: How does secondhand smoke affect others?
  • Reason 2: What about restaurant workers' health?
  • Conclusion: Is a ban necessary?
Key vocab: secondhand smoke health risks protect workers public health necessary measure
Model Answer

"Yes, I strongly support a complete smoking ban. Secondhand smoke poses serious health risks to non-smokers, especially in enclosed spaces. Moreover, restaurant workers shouldn't be exposed to smoke all day. So banning smoking protects public health and is a necessary measure."

Director's Notes

  • "strongly support" 「強く支持する」。明確な立場表明
  • "secondhand smoke" 「副流煙」。受動喫煙の専門用語
  • "poses serious health risks" 「深刻な健康リスクをもたらす」。危険性の強調
  • "enclosed spaces" 「密閉空間」。リスクが高まる環境
  • "public health" 「公衆衛生」。社会全体の健康
Q7 Should the number of weekly working hours in Japan be decreased?
Intermediate

Consider Both Sides

  • Opinion: Should working hours be reduced? (YES)
  • Reason 1: What health problems come from overwork?
  • Reason 2: How does this affect family time?
  • Conclusion: Why is reduction important?
Key vocab: overwork work-life balance mental health quality of life productivity
Model Answer

"Yes, definitely. Many Japanese workers suffer from health problems due to excessive overtime. Shorter working hours would improve work-life balance and allow people more time with their families. So reducing working hours is essential for workers' well-being and quality of life."

Director's Notes

  • "suffer from health problems" 「健康問題に苦しむ」。過労の影響
  • "excessive overtime" 「過度な残業」。日本の働き方の問題
  • "work-life balance" 「ワークライフバランス」。現代的な働き方のキーワード
  • "quality of life" 「生活の質」。単なる健康以上の概念
  • "essential for" 「〜に不可欠」。重要性の最大化